@BillKristol
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This is RUMINT, but pretty credible RUMINT: Trump preparing to fire Sessions, name Pruitt Acting AG (which he can be since he already holds a Senate confirmed position), and Pruitt fires Mueller. And McMaster likely to be replaced by Bolton. Shulkin also on way out, FWIW.
The House Intel committee shutting their investigation down is coming more into focus. I get the strategy of what Trump is trying to do, but I don't see how it's going to work out in his favor. The smart thing for any innocent or not guilty (and there's a HUUUUUGE difference between those two things) president would obviously be to do nothing and let the investigation play out. That's what every president other than Nixon has done. We get these stories every month or so about Mueller being fired, so color be skeptical until it happens. But I see a few scenarios if it does happen this time.
1. Most likely: Trump is rid of Mueller but not rid of the investigation. Pruitt's comments during the campaign make me doubtful that he's a full on Trump crony. I thought Sessions would have been, and he clearly has not been. If Pruitt won't stop or wet paper towel the investigation, not a whole lot changes. Trump has no chance of confirming an AG who doesn't promise the Senate he won't mess with the investigation, so Pruitt is one of the only options.
3. Less likely: Trump is able to end the investigation, but it comes with a "file what you can in the next month and shut the door." That gives Congress time to act.
Maybe Pennsylvania and Alabama have been wake up calls, but probably not. Either way from publicly available info, it seems like Mueller has chargeable evidence On Don Jr., Kushner, Stone, and a bevy of other Trump family members and allies. This seems like a negative.
4. Unlikely: Trump is able to shut the investigation down totally and tomorrow. The financial crimes seem to be going to state prosecutors. One of Mueller's top deputies goes on 60 Minutes either next week or right before the election and outlines all of the evidence that they had (I mean, at least everything that wouldn't implicate national security) on everybody. If that happens before the mid-terms, the Republicans are even more ####ed than they look now.
That might force some movement from Congress either before or after the mid-terms.
What's the upshot? Am I totally missing a good option for Trump? His best option is to shut the #### up and hope that Mueller can't find anything on him. He can pardon (or commute sentences if he's smart) whoever he wants when he's on his way out the door.